Shahbaz sees Pakistan in Int’l Hockey Festival final

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior believes national team will reach in the final of the International Hockey Festival to take place in Melbourne, Australia from November 8 to 12.

Shahbaz said Pakistan squad is a blend of young and experienced players and hopefully the team will do extremely well in the mega event. “Pakistan, hosts Australia, New Zealand and Japan will be competing in the men's event,” he said. M Irfan Sr will lead the team while Umar Bhutta will be his deputy.

The five players, who have won selection for the national side, are Khizer Akhtar (Tando Jam, district Hyderabad), Shajeeh Ahmed (Sargodha), Hassan Anwar (Faisalabad), Bilal Qadir (Pir Mahal, district Toba Tek Singh) and Shan Irshad (Sheikhupura).